EVGA 980Ti - Ultra Coil Whine

[Smffy]

So I already posted this on EVGA forum and support tickets (cant link it). The problem is when you deliver higher load/FPS you just get crazy amounts of noise, I'm running a full custom loop to cool with an EKWB full block and back plate on the card so its quite noticeable. For your information my card model is:

EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti SC+ GAMING ACX 2.0+P/N: 06G-P4-4995-KR

System is:
CPU: Skylake 6700k (4.0 currently running at 4.2)
Mobo: Asus Z170 Deluxe
PSU: Corsair HX1200i
Ram: 32GB Corsair running at 3100
3 x SSDs

This is what mine sounds like under load/high FPS, notice the other PSU outside for testing - its the card. I've had small coil whines before but with no GPU fans its quite something...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFMOjntYU7U

So whats been done so far, well I've just processed an advanced RMA. On arrival I tested the new card as it came (with air cooling) and the noise was there but it was significantly less noticable given the fan noise etc, after much debate I decided the only way to know for sure was to swap it out and put it in the waterblock on... Not exactly simple draining my entire hardline loop and replacing the card/cleaning/reassembling the old/thermal padding but I had to try. After hours messing around and leak testing it was done... Yep its still loud as hell - if I was being generous I would say ever so slightly quieter than the previous but still not what I expect for £550.

I've now returned the previous card (it was an advanced RMA... €750 deposit!) but my question is, is this just what my model of card is like?? Needless to say high load and FPS is what you buy a 980Ti for, I can't believe water cooling them is rare so is everyone just putting up with the mad noise? Nothing I can do in the settings helps, but to avoid needless comments this is what does not impact the noise:

1. 'Bedding the card in' over time - nope i put up with the old one for 2 months
2. Increasing/decreasing clock/voltage in Precision - nope tried everything and ran it default or overclocked and it made no difference
3. Power management settings/K boost - no effect
4. DSR or no DSR - no effect
5. Vsync or not - no effect
6. G-Sync or not - no effect
7. New PSU - no effect
8. Air cooling, audibly quieter under the fan noise but the same noise was there
9. Limiting FPS - not an option, I spent £500 on a G-Sync screen for a reason
10. DP cable, DMI cable, DVI cable - no effect, even no cable at all still outputs the noise

Is it impossibly bad luck to get a second card the same, I don't feel like its possible but let me know what you think - I don't really want to RMA it and repeat the costly drain/change and rebuild for nothing... I feel like i'm now a bit stuck with a system built for quiet, high performance at low temps and a GPU which screams the f'ing flat down when you load a game.

If anyone EVGA should read it, i've asked support and while you have offered to RMA this one as well when you get the other back I just don't think the support ticket staff appreciate just how much work/cost is involved to do it. Responses are fast, but I really feel like i'd waste another 4-5 hours and fluid/thermal pads/paste for another card which would be exactly the same.

Thoughts welcome.

 

[kindai]

I've noticed the same on my new Titan X (received from an RMA when my Titan Black died).

The previous 2 cards were silent, but the Titan X is a proper screamer.

The problem I have like you is its hard line, replacing out a card isn't a 10 minute job its a 2 hour one.

 

[deFiniLoGy]

I'm sorry but I really want to ask.

You're complaining about coil whine, but you are not willing to limit FPS even though you are demonstrating the card puts out 2xx FPS in 1280x720.

You also do not want to RMA the card because it is too much effect to drain the loop and take the card out, even though it is common sense to test a card prior to slapping a block onto it.

See what I'm trying to say?

No one wants to pay 500 quid for a defective product, but no one can control who is having bad luck.

P.S. EVGA does not build the reference PCB, if you want to blame the coil whine you should call out NV.

 

[pingu666]

cant u stop the fan with your finger to test for whine?

 

[TheF34RChannel]

Maybe I'm asking a silly question, but how can one get coil whine from a fully water cooled card...?

 

[Smffy]

I'm sorry but I really want to ask.

You're complaining about coil whine, but you are not willing to limit FPS even though you are demonstrating the card puts out 2xx FPS in 1280x720.

You also do not want to RMA the card because it is too much effect to drain the loop and take the card out, even though it is common sense to test a card prior to slapping a block onto it.

See what I'm trying to say?

No one wants to pay 500 quid for a defective product, but no one can control who is having bad luck.

P.S. EVGA does not build the reference PCB, if you want to blame the coil whine you should call out NV.

The noise is the same in a game, the 720p Valley was just an easy means of recreating it - it still runs 150FPS on 1440p, games are the same noise eiher way. Limiting FPS is not what you buy a £550 GPU for is it - or my £500 G-Sync monitor, these are not things I should be compromising. I run 1440p at high settings and high FPS because I spent a few grand on a system to do that.

Did you even read the post? I specifically wrote that using my 'common sense' I tested the card before taking it apart. Read it again before you comment.

 

[Smffy]

Maybe I'm asking a silly question, but how can one get coil whine from a fully water cooled card...?

Coils are on the PCB, the noise was there with the air cooling its just significantly more noticeable/loud without the fans to cover the sound.

cant u stop the fan with your finger to test for whine?

There is no fan, its a full waterblock...

 

[EVGAdominik]

Hi, the CW at your video do sound extreme. It is possible to have bad luck but it is unlikely to have bad luck with a new and replacement card the same way. Usually replacement cards are also pretested and the RMA guys would have noticed that noise...
Did you already try to run the card for 2-3 hours and see if the noise will change? Would you have access to a second system? Maybe a friend or familie member...
For this I would like to offer to make the next RMA to my attention, we pick the card up and I pretest the next replacement myselve so I can directly compare how the noise was here and how it is at your end.
If the card was before brand new you should not pay any shipping cost... How old was the card when you RMAd it and was it a brand new purchase? Did CS support offer you a pick up service?

Did you also run other applications like demanding games on that system? Was the noise any different?

I don't want to blame the waterblock manifacturer at this point! But have already seen waterblocks causing the card to make this noise more extreme. How much of a differenze was between the aircooled version and when you put the block on it? Could you name it in a 1-10 chart?

 

[deFiniLoGy]

The noise is the same in a game, the 720p Valley was just an easy means of recreating it - it still runs 150FPS on 1440p, games are the same noise eiher way. Limiting FPS is not what you buy a £550 GPU for is it - or my £500 G-Sync monitor, these are not things I should be compromising. I run 1440p at high settings and high FPS because I spent a few grand on a system to do that.

Did you even read the post? I specifically wrote that using my 'common sense' I tested the card before taking it apart. Read it again before you comment.

Fine my bad, maybe a long post in 2am in the morning isn't a great idea.

However, a word of advice, if you were to test the card under water, try using soft tubing instead of hard tubing.

And btw, G-sync work best to smooth out tearing at 35Hz to 75Hz, its effect on 100+ FPS is minimal.

Regardless, difference of opinion it is. I simply would not put it right out there that everything is the manufacturer's fault when there are things that I could have done better to save everyone time and effort. Period.

 

[Smffy]

Regardless, difference of opinion it is. I simply would not put it right out there that everything is the manufacturer's fault when there are things that I could have done better to save everyone time and effort. Period.

Not sure why you are being so aggressive, I'm just asking for peoples experience of this particular card, at no point am I having a go at EVGA. I have no fittings for soft tubing, regardless it doesn't make it easier to drain/dismantle card/fit block/thermals and prepare the card for testing.

Usually replacement cards are also pretested and the RMA guys would have noticed that noise...
Did you already try to run the card for 2-3 hours and see if the noise will change? Would you have access to a second system? Maybe a friend or familie member...
For this I would like to offer to make the next RMA to my attention, we pick the card up and I pretest the next replacement myselve so I can directly compare how the noise was here and how it is at your end.
If the card was before brand new you should not pay any shipping cost... How old was the card when you RMAd it and was it a brand new purchase? Did CS support offer you a pick up service?

Did you also run other applications like demanding games on that system? Was the noise any different?

I don't want to blame the waterblock manifacturer at this point! But have already seen waterblocks causing the card to make this noise more extreme. How much of a differenze was between the aircooled version and when you put the block on it? Could you name it in a 1-10 chart?

Thank you for your reply, i'll attempt to answer the points...

1. Yes i've run demanding applications for hours and its not changed, the previous card was new at purchase however I opted to stick with it for about 6 weeks, in all I used it a few months heavily and it stayed exactly the same noise wise.
2. I did an Advanced RMA, €750 for the replacement, I was outside the 30 days as it took me some weeks to finalise my system over December (busy time for me) but I appreciate that puts me outside of those terms so I paid the deposit (old card should arrive with you today).
3. Nobody convenient with a system worth testing in, however i've tried with various other components, my EVGA 970 for example is perfectly happy in this system and i've used an external PSU as per the video with no effect.
4. Noise is the same in demanding games, as soon as you leave the 60FPS desktop the noise kicks off - its total silence in a windows environment without anything going on.
5. I'm using an EKWB, i'm inclined to speculate its because the coils are completely uncovered bar the faceplate extending above them... I feel like the noise if you will is 10/10 with the block, 2-3/10 with the fans - I don't believe the block is causing the noise but it certainly seems like you are able to hear how loud it is when you run a much quieter system.

The block (technically its a Titan X block, same reference PCB) I think the exposed coils to the right of the image might be the cause, away this weekend but could attempt to seal the sides and note the difference next week:

Again, i'm aware the card is functioning fine but just a bit hesitant to replace again (cost of draining/thermal and time it takes) as i'll end up in the same place. Are you able to test one without the air cooling attached to see the noise for yourself?

 

[Upgrade]

Uh... first thing I did when I got my 980ti was to put it through the 3dmark benchmark tests and the sound was absolutely AWFUL. It was so squeaky and really loud. However, since playing different games (the division, new tomb raider) all on maxed graphics I hear none of that.

Pretty sure that it's some-what normal to experience the whine in tests that are getting you absolutely ridiculous FPS..?

I guess someone can prove me wrong, but since doing the initial benchmarks, my card has been silent.

 

[Smffy]

Uh... first thing I did when I got my 980ti was to put it through the 3dmark benchmark tests and the sound was absolutely AWFUL. It was so squeaky and really loud. However, since playing different games (the division, new tomb raider) all on maxed graphics I hear none of that.

Pretty sure that it's some-what normal to experience the whine in tests that are getting you absolutely ridiculous FPS..?

I guess someone can prove me wrong, but since doing the initial benchmarks, my card has been silent.

I'm getting it in most high demand games yes, I'm not getting mental frame rates - I guess you probably refer to some which spam 3000 FPS in a menu etc. Something around the 100-140 mark i feel shouldn't do this but it does. I had the old card for 2 months so I would consider that well and truly run in.

Basically the high FPS in the video test was just an easy way for me to recreate and record it, same noise in games also.

Were you using a full block too?